Hey, Toronto, what’s up?! Your group chat is popping off, and we’re here to keep the good times going. Welcome to another week of the Toronto Group Chat. This is your weekly rundown of the city’s biggest and hottest updates. Here, you’ll find all the stuff you actually want to share in your group chat. Every week, we’re dishing out five must-know highlights of what’s going on in the city or stories you need to know about.

Maybe people are already talking about it, or maybe you’ll start the conversation? Let your friends know.

Check out what’s new in Toronto. Let’s get into it.

The Toronto Group Chat
Photo via Karen Doradea

Did you hear, Toronto?

Karol G concert tomorrow with special guest

The day has finally come! Karol G is bringing her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour to Toronto on Wednesday. The global superstar will be the first Latin artist to headline a concert at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, and we’re so excited to see her perform. This will be her second city stop on the tour, following two consecutive nights at Soldier Field in Chicago.

But Toronto is in for a treat because she’s bringing Becky G to join in on the fun. Tickets are still on sale and TRUST me, you will kick yourself if you miss this.

18-day country festival in Toronto

The Distillery District will not just be known for the holidays; it’s about to be the hottest spot in town for country fans. The Toronto Country Fest is bringing 18 days of live entertainment, western-inspired experiences and family-friendly fun to the east end. It’ll run daily from 1 p.m. until late

There will be:

  • Outdoor line dancing with intermediate lessons on Wednesdays and beginner lessons on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m.,
  • Live country music on the Trinity Stage, with daily performances,
  • Nashville Nights every Friday and Saturday with DJs,
  • Mechanical bull riding,
  • Free kids’ activity area with face painting, carnival-style games and western-themed experiences,
  • A Ferris wheel starting Aug. 11,
  • Festival-inspired menus, summer cocktails and sweet treats from 10 participating Distillery restaurants and cafes,
  • BBQ favourites from Distillery Super Grill,
  • Sip and sample with free tequila tastings on Fridays and Saturdays; beer tastings on Saturdays and Sundays in the Pure Spirits Courtyard,
  • Western-inspired photo opportunities, including a 10’ sunflower arch, hay bales, oversized guitars, “Wanted” posters and the “Fill Yer Boots” installation.

Needless to say, it’s going to be a rowdy 18 days!

BBQ rooftop takeovers in Toronto

The Drake Hotel is hosting two back-to-back rooftop BBQ takeovers on July 30 and Aug. 7 at The Sky Yard. Imagine sitting on a sunny patio, with an ice-cold cocktail in hand and mouthwatering BBQ eats – that’s what we call a fun summer day.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • On Thursday, July 30 from 5 to 11 p.m., Chef Jeremy Saluma of Slow Jams takes over the grill for an evening of Filipino BBQ, with Sweet Touch Foundation spinning the beat.
  • On Friday, Aug. 7 from 5 to 11 p.m., Chef Christina Khan of Miss Likklemore’s brings the flavours of the Caribbean, with DJ Special K

Ontario is getting its first dual-brand Applebee’s + IHOP location

Applebee’s and IHOP are inching closer and closer to the GTA. The two brands are joining forces and opening a “dual-brand restaurant” in Ajax on Tuesday, Aug. 4. And of course they will be celebrating the opening with free pancakes for the first 100 guests!

You can check out the new spot next week at 155 Kingston Rd. E.

North America’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture kicks off this weekend

Toronto Caribbean Carnival is baaaack this weekend! The city is going to light up with the best day fetes, pool parties, nightlife and more. Oh, and of course, the Grande Parade. If you’re looking for Caribana experiences this weekend, the official website has a ton of offerings – free and paid.

And that’s all we have for you today! We’ll be back next week with more fun in Toronto.

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Karen Doradea

Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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